Dispensing container with plural closures

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to a novel dispensing container in which a pair of valves are carried by a first closure seated upon a container neck, the valves being in fluid communication with a propellant chamber and a product chamber, a second closure threaded or otherwise secured to the container neck maintaining the first closure in seated relationship thereupon, and actuator means carried by the second closure for opening the associated valves during a dispensing operation. The first closure includes a normally open aperture for venting the product chamber to atmosphere, while the actuator includes means for closing the aperture during a dispensing operation.

O United States Patent [is] 3,680,740 Kinnavy 51 Aug. 1, 1972 [54] DISPENSING CONTAINER WITH 3,270,920 9/1966 Nessler ..222/136 X PLURAL CLOSURES 3,283,963 11/1966 Boyer et al ..222/402.25 X [72] Inventor: James Kinnavy, westmom m 3,289,949 12/1966 Roth ..239/306 X Assigneel Continental Can p ny, n Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg New York, Attorney-Diner, Brown, Ramik & Holt [22] Filed: Jan. 6, 1970 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 1,001

This disclosure relates to a novel dispensing container in which a pair of valves are carried by a first closure UOSI a in [51] Int. Cl. ..B65d 83/00 communication with a propeuam chamber and a [58] held of searchm222/136' product chamber, a second closure threaded or other- 40224 wise secured to the container neck maintaining the 239/304 306 first closure in seated relationship thereupon, and actuator means carried by the second closure for open- [56] References cued ing the associated valves during a dispensing opera- UNITED STATES PATENTS tion. The first closure includes a normally open aperture for venting the product chamber to atmosphere, the actuator includes means for closing the aper 3,416,709 12/ 1968 Shultz et a1. ..222/ 145 X ture during a dispensing operation 2,941,696 6/1960 Homm ..222/136 3,241,722 3/ 1966 Nissen ..222/ 136 12 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures DISPENSING CONTAINER WITH PLURAL CLOSURES ty thereof is questionable. Generally such containers include propellant and product chambers with the propellant chamber being swaged into the neck finish of the container or swaged into a cover which is in turn glued upon the container neck. Leaking and opening for recharging are serious problems with both.

In keeping with the present invention, a dispensing container is provided which uses two relatively simply operating valves but which include one movable element thereby simplifying the over-all system. Furthermore, by the use of a pair of closures, one for carrying a propellant chamber and the other a product dip tube, leaking is eliminated, opening and reclosing is simplified, and the neck finish of the dispensing container is not as critical dimensionwise as in known conventional containers. Furthermore, from a cost standpoint the dispensing container is perhaps the most inexpensive dual valve mechanism conceived and though simple all aspects of charging, dispensing, sealing, recharging, etc., have been considered, as has been automatic venting of the product chamber after each dispensing operation.

In keeping with the foregoing, it is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a novel dispensing container whichis extremely simple inconstruction and operation, is extremely inexpensive, avoids leaking, provides easy opening and reclosing, achieves automatic venting of the product chamber, and particularly adapted for use with plastic container bodies wherein tolerances arenot at all times maintained as desired thus permitting the use of the present dispenser with containers of dimensional tolerances heretofore incapable of being exploited commercially for pressurized dispensing containers. 1

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel dispensing container of the type aforesaid including a container body, closure means secured to the body, a pair of valves. carried by the closure means, means defining a propellant chamber in fluid communication with a first of the valves, means defining a product chamber in fluid communication with a second of the valves, actuator means carried by the closure means for opening and closing the valves whereby a product adapted to be housed within the product chamber is dispensed therefrom under the influence of propellant, and the pair of valves and at least one of the chambers being carried by the closure means.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel dispensing container of the type heretofore described wherein the closure means include a pair of closures, a first of these closures carrying the pair of valves, and a second of the closures securing the first closure to the containerbody.

Still another object of this invention is to provide-a novel dispensing container wherein the actuator means includes a pair of ports each of which is in fluid communication with an associated one of the pair of valves.

dispensing container wherein at least one of the valves has a flexible outer body, and the actuator means is effective for distending the flexible body to open the valve during a dispensing operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel dispensing container of the type described wherein the first closure includes-aperture means for venting the product chamber to atmosphere, and means carried by the actuator means for closing the aperture means during a dispensing operation.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature ofthe invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claimed subject matter, and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is an axial sectional view of a novel dispensing container constructed in accordance with this invention with portions thereof shown in side elevation, and illustrates a pair of closures, one of which carries a pair of valves and the other of which carries an actuator for opening the valves during a dispensing operation.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the upper portion of the dispensing container of F IG. 1, and illustrates the actuator in a depressed condition whereat propellant issuing from the propellant chamber draws a dispensable product'from the product chamber by venturi action. 7

Referring to the drawing, a dispensing container constructed in accordance with this invention is generally designnated by the reference numeral 10 and includes a container body 11 having a closed bottom 12, a

- shoulder 13 and a neck 14, the latter of which includes tions, etc., plastic containers which are commercially Another ob ect of this invention rs to provide a novel manufactured are not within tolerances which are as critical as metallic containers. Thus, from the standpoint of providing appropriate leak-proof closures, it is essential to provide a system which can effectively seal and thus prevent unwanted leakage of containers produced in this fashion. Thus, while the present system is designed for such containers, it is equally applicable to containers manufactured to the strictest tolerances possible.

The dispensing container 10 is closed by means generally designated by the reference numeral 20 (FIG. 2) which includesan inner cap or closure 21 provided with a downwardly opening bead or channel 22 and a plurality of openings 23 through 25. Suitable sealing compound S is placed in the bead 22 prior to the application thereof upon the container neck 14 to prevent eventual leakage of product and/or propellant upon the subsequent filling and charging of the container 10.

Housed within the apertures 23, 25 are associated valves 26, 27 which are virtually identical and are therefore hereafter described collectively with like reference numerals. The valves 26, 27 each include a valve body 28 constructed from rubber or similar flexible distensible and reboundable material. Each valve body 28 includes uppermost radially outwardly directed flange 30 defined by an outwardly opening circumferential groove 31 and a lower body portion (unnumbered) tapering downwardly and outwardly as viewed in FIG. 2. The valves 26, 27 are positioned in the associated apertures 23, 25 by simply stretching the valve bodies 28 until they pass through the apertures 23, 25 and permitting the same to rebound to their original configuration whereupon the grooves 31 thereof receive and sealingly surround an annular portion (unnumbered) of the cap 21 adjacent each of the apertures 23, 25.

Each of the valves 26, 27 further includes an upper passage 34, a chamber 35, a passage 36, and a passage 37 defined by a radially inwardly directed flange 38 which defines a seat (unnumbered) for a valve member 40 provided along its exterior surface with one or more slots 41. Each valve member 40 includes an upper face 42 adapted to seat against a surface 43 of the chamber 35. As is illustrated in FIG. 2, each of the valve members 40 is shown in its open position and the valve bodies 28 of the valves 26, 27 are distended or elongated axially. However, in the closed position of the valve members 40, the inherent reboundable nature of the material forming the valve bodies 28 draws the valve members 40 upwardly to bring the faces 4 thereof in sealing closed relationship with the surfaces 43 of the chambers 35.

Another gasket 45 is positioned atop the closure or cap 21 and is maintained thereat by a second cap or closure 46 which includes actuator means in the form of a depressible actuator 47 housed within a recess 48 of a closure body 50. Means (not shown) are provided to limit the movement of the actuator 47 between the solid and phantom outline positions thereof illustrated in FIG. 2 in order that the actuator 47 cannot be purposely or inadvertently removed from the recess 48.

The actuator 47 includes a first passage or port 51 open at one end 52 to atmosphere and at its other end being defined by a stem 53 forming an integral part of the actuator 47. The stem 53 has a beveled lower face (unnumbered) which contacts the upper surface of the valve member 40 of the valve 26.

A pair of ports or passages 54, 55 have ends (unnumbered) above and below the end 52 of the passage 51 and merge with another passage 56 defined at its lower end by another integral stem 57 of the actuator 47. The lower end (unnumbered) of the stem 57 is likewise beveled and is in contact with the upper face 42 of the valve member 40 of the valve 27.

A stem 58 likewise integrally formed as a part of the actuator 47 has a conical end (unnumbered) adapted to open and close the aperture24.

An annular O-sealing ring 60 is received in a circular downwardly opening groove 61 of the actuator 47 for providing a seal in the dispensing position, as shown in FIG. 2, and also biasing force to return the actuator 47 from its dispensing position (FIG. 2) to the nondispensing position shown in phantom outline in FIG.

The closure 46 further includes a depending peripheral skirt 62 provided on its interior with threads 63 for securing the closure means 20 to the exterior threaded portion or neck finish of the container body 1 1.

As was heretofore noted, the valves 26, 27 are constructed from distensible, flexible material and thus the inherent nature of the material thereof further functions to secure a propellant chamber 65 to the valve 26 and a dip tube 66 to an enlarged portion 67 of the valve 27. Suitable propellant having a liquid stage L and a gaseous stage G is housed within the propellant chamber 65 while a product P is housed within a product chamber 68 of the container body 1 1.

Before describing the complete dispensing operation of the dispensing container 10, reference is first made to the manner in which the components are assembled and united to achieve the simplified arrangement heretofore described and illustrated. The valves 26, 27 are secured to the closure 21 in the manner heretofore described and thereafter propellant is charged in a conventional manner into the propellant chamber 65. It is to be noted that since the valve 26 normally maintains the valve member 40 in its seated position, the gaseous stage G of the propellant cannot escape from the chamber 65.

The dip tube 66 is seated upon the enlarged portion 67 and the inherent resilience of the latter maintains these elements in assembled relationship.

Thereafter the cap 21 carrying the sealing compound S is united with the closure body 50 with the stems 53, 57 in alignment with the passages 34 of the valves 26, 27, and with the gasket 45 interposed between the closure 21 and the closure 46, as shown in FIG. 2. Thereafter the entire assembled unit is threaded upon the filled container body as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, except that the actuator 47 is not, of course, in the depressed condition shown in FIG. 2 so that the valves are closed and the aperture 24 is open to atmosphere (FIG. 1). In the latter condition it will be noted that after every dispensing operation the interior of the chamber 68 is in fluid communication with atmosphere over a flow path indicated by the unnumbered broken arrow in FIG. 1.

In order to dispense the product P from the chamber 68 the actuator 47 is merely depressed to the position shown in FIG. 2 at which time the stem 53 urges the valve member 40 downwardly thereby stretching or distending the body 28 due to the bottom end of the valve member 40 being seated upon the flange 38. The gas G, which is under pressure, flows upwardly through the passage 37, the slot or groove 41 of the valve member 40, the chamber 35, the passage 51, and exits the end 52 thereof creating a venturi effect which draws the product P up the dip tube 66 and through the valve 27 which has likewise been opened by the stem 57 acting upon the valve member 40 thereof in the manner identically described with respect to the valve 26. Thus the product exits the actuator through the ports 54, 55 under the influence of the venturi effect created by the propellant issuing from the end 52 of the passage 51. Upon the release of the actuator 47 the latter is immediately returned to the nondispensing position shown in FIG. 1 by the sealing ring 60 thereby automatically opening the aperture 24 for venting purposes.

While preferred forms and arrangements of parts have been shown in illustrating the invention, it is to be clearly understood that various changes in details and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

I claim: I

1. A dispensing container comprising a container body, closure means secured to said body, a pair of valves carried by said closure means, means defining a propellant chamber in fluid communication with a first of said valves, means defining a product chamber in fluid communication with a second of said valves, actuator means carried by said closure means for opening said valves whereby a product adapted to be housed within said product chamber is dispensed therefrom under the influence of propellant adapted to be housed within said propellant chamber, said pair of valves and at least one of said chambers being carried by said closure means, said closure means include a pair of closures, a first of said closures carry said pair of valves and close said container body, a second of said closures secure said first closure to said container body, said container body includes an open upper end portion, said first closure being seated upon said upper end portion, said second closure securing said first closure in its seated engagement with said upper end portion, aperture means in said first closure for venting said second chamber to atmosphere, and means carried by said actuator means for closing said aperture means during a dispensing operation.

2. A dispensing container comprising a container body, closure means secured to said body, a pair of valves carried by said closure means, means defining a propellant chamber in fluid communication with a first of said valves, means defining a product chamber in fluid communication with a second of said valves, actuator means carried by said closure means for opening said valves whereby a product adapted to be housed within said product chamber is dispensed therefrom under the influence of propellant adapted to be housed within said propellant chamber, said pair of valves and at least one of said chambers being carried by said closure means, said closure means include a pair of closures, a first of said closures carry said pair of valves and close said container body, a second of said closures secure said first closure to said container body, aperture means in said first closure for venting said second chamber to atmosphere, and means carried by said actuator means for closing said aperture means during a dispensing operation.

3. A dispensing container comprising a container body, closure means secured to said body, apair of valves carried by said closure means, means defining a propellant chamber in fluid communication with a first of said valves, means defining a product chamber in fluid communication with a second of said valves, ac-

tuator means carried by said closure means for opening said valves whereby a product adapted to be housed within said product chamber is dispensed therefrom under the influence of propellant adapted'to be housed within said propellant chamber, said pair of valves and at least one of said chambers being carried by said closure means, said closure means include a pair of closures, a first of said closures carry said pair of valves and close said container body, a second of said closures secure said first closure to said container body, said first closure is housed wholly within said second closure and said actuator means iscarried by said second closure.

4. The dispensing container is defined in claim 3 sflill?3l$ii$3$ 3% 3.2% iii' c raim 3 wherein said actuator means include a pair of ports each of which is in fluid communication with an associated one of said pair of valves.

6. The dispensing container as defined in claim 3 wherein second closure is secured to said container body by a rotatable connection.

7. The dispensing container as defined in claim 3 wherein at least one of said valves has a flexible outer body, and said actuator means is effective for distending said body during a dispensing operation.

8. The dispensing container as defined in claim 3 wherein said actuator means include a pair of tubular stems each of which is in fluid communication with an associated one of said pair of valves, and said valves include means for placing said tubular stems in fluid communication with the associated chambers thereof upon relative movement between said actuator means and said pair of valves.

9. The dispensing container as defined in claim 8 wherein said valves and tubular stems are in side-byside relationship.

10. The dispensing container as defined in claim 9 wherein each tubular stem enters its associated valve at least during a dispensing operation.

1 1. The dispensing container as defined in claim 3 including aperture means in said first closure for venting said second chamber to atmosphere, and means carried by said actuator means for closing said aperture means during a dispensing operation.

12. The dispensing container as defined in claim 9 including aperture means in said first closure for venting said second chamber to atmosphere, and means carried by said actuator means for closing said aperture means during a dispensing operation. 

1. A dispensing container comprising a container body, closure means secured to said body, a pair of valves carried by said closure means, means defining a propellant chamber in fluid communication with a first of said valves, means defining a product chamber in fluid communication with a second of said valves, actuator means carried by said closure means for opening said valves whereby a product adapted to be housed within said product chamber is dispensed therefrom under the influence of propellant adapted to be housed within said propellant chamber, said pair of valves and at least one of said chambers being carried by said closure means, said closure means include a pair of closures, a first of said closures carry said pair of valves and close said container body, a second of said closures secure said first closure to said container body, said container body includes an open upper end portion, said first closure being seated upon said upper end portion, said second closure securing said first closure in its seated engagement with said upper end portion, aperture means in said first closure for venting said second chamber to atmosphere, and means carried by said actuator means for closing said aperture means during a dispensing operation.
 2. A dispensing container comprising a container body, closure means secured to said body, a pair of valves carried by said closure means, means defining a propellant chamber in fluid communication with a first of said valves, means defining a product chamber in fluid communication with a second of said valves, actuator means carried by said closure means for opening said valves whereby a product adapted to be housed within said product chamber is dispensed therefrom under the influence of propellant adapted to be housed within said propellant chamber, said pair of valves and at least one of said chambers being carried by said closure means, said closure means include a pair of closures, a first of said closures carry said pair of valves and close said container body, a second of said closures secure said first closure to said container body, aperture means in said first closure for venting said second chamber to atmosphere, and means carried by said actuator means for closing said aperture means during a dispensing operation.
 3. A dispensing container comprising a container body, closure means secured to said body, a pair of valves carried by said closure means, means defining a propellant chamber in fluid communication with a first of said valves, means defining a product chamber in fluid communication with a second of said valves, actuator means carried by said closure means for opening said valves whereby a product adapted to be housed within said product chamber is dispensed therefrom under the influence of propellant adapted to be housed within said propellant chamber, said pair of valves and at least one of said chambers being carried by said closure means, said closure means include a pair of closures, a first of said closures carry said pair of valves and close said container body, a second of said closures secure said first closure to said container body, said first closure is housed wholly within said second closure and said actuator means is carried by said second closure.
 4. The dispensing container is defined in claim 3 wherein a dip tube is carried by said second valve.
 5. The dispensing container as defined in claim 3 wherein said actuator means include a pair of ports each of which is in fluid communication with an associated one of said pair of valves.
 6. The dispensing container as defined in claim 3 wherein second closure is secured to said container body by a rotatable connection.
 7. The dispensing container as defined in claim 3 wherein at least one of said valves has a flexible outer body, and said actuator means is effective for distending said body during a dispensing operation.
 8. The dispensing container as defined in claim 3 wherein said actuator means include a pair of tubular stems each of which is in fluid communication with an associated one of said pair of valves, and said valves include means for placing said tubular stems in fluid communication with the associated chambers thereof upon relative movement between said actuator means and said pair of valves.
 9. The dispensing container as defined in claim 8 wherein said valves and tubular stems are in side-by-side relationship.
 10. The dispensing container as defined in claim 9 wherein each tubular stem enters its associated valve at least during a dispensing operation.
 11. The dispensing container as defined in claim 3 including aperture means in said first closure for venting said second chamber to atmosphere, and means carried by said actuator means for closing said aperture means during a dispensing operation.
 12. The dispensing container as defined in claim 9 including aperture means in said first closure for venting said second chamber to atmosphere, and means carried by said actuator means for closing said aperture means during a dispensing operation. 